Why New Space Technology Will Impact the Future of Humanity

Additive Snack

A majority of space applications and space companies would not be where they are today without additive manufacturing. In this final episode of our four-part series, we explore how additive technologies, like the ones used on the Ingenuity helicopter, can be used to advance industries and applications, such as mobility here on Earth.

Host Fabian Alefeld is joined by Professor of Engineering Design and Manufacturing at Penn State and additive rockstar, Tim Simpson. Tim runs one of the best additive manufacturing programs in the US. Students of his program can graduate with a master of engineering in Additive Manufacturing and Design.

He also consults with the NASA Langley Research Center on system design and additive manufacturing. Today, Fabian and Tim discuss the
implications of the latest developments in the space industry and other industries.

We recommend you start with episode 1 of this 4-part miniseries to get a better understanding of the current state of AM in the space industry. Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS.

Key Takeaways:

[3:20] Equally interested in the design and manufacturing of mechanical and industrial applications, metal 3-D printing was Tim’s innovation trigger.

[5:36] Tim’s Penn State multidisciplinary engineering and design course connects research to real-world applications.

[10:29] At NASA, Tim examines how the advancements of AM in the space industry merge with other industries and technologies.

[21:10] Tim considers the current and future impacts of different technologies, such as OpenAI, on AM.

[27:44] Tim and a Ph.D. student coined the term MFD, or manufacturing fixation and design, to describe the limitations brought about by previous engineering experience.